Intercultural enrichment programs: A contribution to curriculum development and study abroad in transnational education

Nadine Normand-Marconnet, Samuele Grassi, Narelle McAuliffe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

In the fast evolving context of globalised higher education, increasing academic
mobility requires constant adaptation from institutions. This paper focuses
on intercultural enrichment programs, often perceived as mere “add ons” to
study abroad, and usually designed as optional not-for-credit extracurricular
offerings. We investigate how institutions can give more value to and deepen
the intercultural learning of more students in spite of constraints of time and of
formal curriculum during short-term study abroad experiences. Resulting from a
close collaboration between academic and administrative staff based at different
campuses, this paper provides a critical analysis of the benefits and challenges
involved in developing co-curricular intercultural enrichment programs that
support formal curriculum during study abroad. Practical recommendations
are based on a transdisciplinary program developed in Italy by an Australian
university that has branch campuses in different countries. We also discuss the
“digitally enhanced” aspects of the program which facilitate the in-class activities.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)511-527
Number of pages17
JournalLEA
Volume7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Keywords

  • curriculum
  • Intercultural competence
  • learning experience
  • study abroad
  • transnational education

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